Need For Systemic Antibiotics Research Articles

HOCl-producing electrochemical bandage is active in murine polymicrobial wound infection.

New approaches are needed to combat the rise of antimicrobial-resistant infections. The HOCl-producing electrochemical bandage (e-bandage) leverages in situ generation of HOCl, a natural biocide, for broad-spectrum killing of wound pathogens. Unlike traditional therapies that may exhibit limited activity against biofilms and antimicrobial-resistant organisms, the e-bandage offers a potent, standalone solution that does not contribute to further resistance or require adjunctive antibiotic therapy. Here, we show the ability of the e-bandage to address polymicrobial infection by antimicrobial resistant clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two commonly isolated, co-infecting wound pathogens. Effectiveness of the HOCl-producing e-bandage in reducing pathogen load while minimizing tissue toxicity and avoiding the need for systemic antibiotics underscores its potential as a tool in managing complex wound infections.

Comorbidities of exudative otitis media in children: focus on cough

Introduction. Otitis media with effusion (OME) is the most common and asymptomatic form of otitis in preschool children, accompanied by the accumulation of exudate in the middle ear with the development of conductive and mixed hearing loss. The article discusses data on the nature of comorbid diseases in exudative otitis media and modern ideas about the effectiveness of a combination drug for concomitant bronchopulmonary pathology in children.Aim. To study the nature of comorbid diseases in OME and evaluate the effectiveness of a combined expectorant drug in the treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract infections.Materials and methods. 104 children diagnosed with acute and chronic otitis media with effusion were examined. All children were divided into 2 groups: Group I (50 people) with acute otitis media with effusion, Group II (54 people) with chronic otitis media with effusion. The average age of children in group I was 5.02 ± 0.48 years with the highest prevalence in the younger group (70%), the average age of children in group II was 5.87 ± 0.47 years with the highest prevalence in the preschool and primary school groups (88%). Group I children with tracheitis and bronchitis received a combined expectorant.Results and discussions. The recurrent course of otitis media with effusion is supported by allergies in 43%, and by pathology of the upper and lower respiratory tract in 34%. The development of hearing loss leads to dysarthria in 26% of cases, which can undoubtedly negatively affect the further social adaptation of the child. Complex therapy of cough with a combined expectorant gave a positive clinical effect in 95% of cases, reduced the need for systemic antibiotics by 2.5 times, shortened the duration of the disease by 1.7 times.Conclusions. Early diagnosis of comorbid diseases in AOME at a young age, timely complex treatment of bronchopulmonary pathology will prevent the development of COME with impaired speech development in older children.

The effectiveness of essential oils in the treatment of acute viral rhinosinusitis

Introduction. Acute respiratory viral infections are the most widespread diseases, accounting for up to 90% of all infectious pathology, which supports the relevance of optimizing the treatment of acute viral rhinosinusitis.Aim. Evaluate the dynamics of clinical symptoms of acute viral rhinosinusitis, which arose as part of an acute respiratory infection, when supplementing therapy with the drug Respero Myrtol (Pol-Boskamp GmbH and Co.KG, Germany), the active ingredient of which is myrtol standardized 120 mg in 1 capsule.Materials and methods. The dynamics of clinical symptoms of 20 cases of acute viral rhinosinusitis in comparison groups was analyzed. Traditional treatment of patients included taking propionic acid derivatives, ascorbic acid, intranasal use of decongestants and irrigation of the nasal cavity with isotonic saline solutions. Patients who have received traditional treatment are defined as a “standard therapy group”. To assess the effectiveness of therapy using standardized myrtol, 20 cases of acute viral rhinosinusitis against the background of acute respiratory viral infections with a similar severity were analyzed, in which patients received outpatient therapy with Respero Myrtol 2 capsules 3 times a day for 7 days in addition to the above treatment (the “myrtol therapy” group). The dynamics of the disease assessed: the number of days of disability before recovery, the period of normalization of body temperature in feverish patients, the need for vasoconstrictive intranasal agents after the seventh day of therapy, the period of complete relief of pain syndrome, the period of normalization of night sleep, the number of cases of bacterial superinfection and the need for systemic antibacterial therapy.The results. In the observed patients, the quality of sleep was restored faster, the pain syndrome was stopped earlier, less often there was a need for systemic antibiotics and prolonged use of intranasal decongestants. The disease proceeded with fewer days of disability.Conclusion. The study results have been shown to report the clinical efficacy of Respero Myrtol essential oils in the outpatient treatment of patients with acute rhinosinusitis.

Antibiotic Misuse in Wound Care: Can Bacterial Localization through Fluorescence Imaging Help?

(1) Background: Systemic antibiotic use in chronic wounds is alarmingly high worldwide. Between 53% to 71% of patients are prescribed at least one course per chronic wound. Systemic antibiotic use should follow antibiotic stewardship guidelines and ought to be reserved for situations where their use is deemed supported by clinical indications. Unfortunately, in the field of wound care, indiscriminate and often inadequate use of systemic antibiotics is leading to both patient complications and worsening antibiotic resistance rates. Implementing novel tools that help clinicians prevent misuse or objectively determine the true need for systemic antibiotics is essential to reduce prescribing rates. (2) Methods: We present a compendium of available systemic antibiotic prescription rates in chronic wounds. The impact of various strategies used to improve these rates, as well as preliminary data on the impact of implementing fluorescence imaging technology to finesse wound status diagnosis, are presented. (3) Results: Interventions including feedback from wound care surveillance and treatment data registries as well as better diagnostic strategies can ameliorate antibiotic misuse. (4) Conclusions: Interventions that mitigate unnecessary antibiotic use are needed. Effective strategies include those that raise awareness of antibiotic overprescribing and those that enhance diagnosis of infection, such as fluorescence imaging.

The effectiveness of Dekasan for prevention of postoperative complications after major bone surgeries

Antiseptic drug “Decasan” due to its bactericidal, fungicidal, viricidal and sporicidal action is a highly effective medicine for the prevention of postoperative complications in an orthopedic and trauma hospital. Its use can significantly reduce the frequency of complications, and thus reduces the need for systemic antibiotics and slows down the develop-ment of antibiotic resistance.

PREVENTION OF EXACERBATION OF NON-CYSTIC FIBROSIS BRONCHIECTASIS WITH COMBINATION OF AZTREONAM LYSINE INHALATION AND AZITHROMYCIN

TOPIC: Obstructive Lung Diseases TYPE: Medical Student/Resident Case Reports INTRODUCTION: Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by bronchial dilatation leading to daily productive cough and recurrent respiratory infections.[1] Causes of bronchiectasis is broadly divided into Cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF. Reducing the microbial load with antibiotics and clearing secretions form the cornerstone of prophylactic and therapeutic management of exacerbations. We present a case were initiation of cyclical prophylaxis with combined Aztreonam lysine inhalation (AZLI) and azithromycin resulted in a significant increase in exacerbation free interval of a patient with non-CF bronchiectasis. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a 63-year-old female non-smoker with history of non-CF bronchiectasis who presented to the emergency department with complaints of productive cough associated with greenish brown sputum, fever and shortness of breath for 2 weeks. Her past medical history was significant for recurrent exacerbations of bronchiectasis every 2-3 months including pneumonia with pseudomonas. She was then started on prophylactic 28 day cyclical 75mg AZLI inhalation TID and oral azithromycin daily. Since then she remained exacerbation free for 19 months before this presentation. On presentation, the patient was afebrile, spo2 96% on room air. On physical examination, she was in mild respiratory distress with rhonchi present in bilateral lung fields. WBC was elevated at 14.6, Sars-Cov-19 RAT was negative. Chest x-ray demonstrated diffuse bilateral pulmonary opacities. Patient was initiated on meropenem and de-escalated to ceftazidime after sensitivities were known. She improved clinically and was discharged home after 14 days of treatment. At discharge, patient was continued on the cyclical AZLI and daily azithromycin regiment. DISCUSSION: Several clinical trials have attempted to use inhaled antibiotic treatment for CF bronchiectasis to prevent exacerbations. The inhalation of anti-pseudomonal antibiotics including aztreonam is the preferred therapeutic option. In addition, macrolides also provide benefit to reduce frequency of exacerbations.[2]With increasing prevalence of non-CF bronchiectasis, small studies have begun to address this population. Two randomized control trials utilizing AZLI demonstrated reduction in sputum Pseudomonas density but did not show reduction in bronchiectasis exacerbations or hospitalizations.[3]Thus inconsistent results from studies assessing antibiotics used in non-CF bronchiectasis leave need for further study. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates an effective cyclical prophylactic regiment with both a low risk of toxicity and a low risk for emergence of organisms in non-CF bronchiectasis. Further attention with a randomized control study to assess the effects on need for systemic antibiotics, hospitalization, and overall morbidity is warranted. REFERENCE #1: Chalmers JD, Aliberti S, Blasi F. Management of bronchiectasis in adults. Eur Respir J. 2015;45: 1446-1462 REFERENCE #2: Kelly C, Chalmers JD, Crossingham I, et al. Macrolide antibiotics for bronchiectasis. Cochrane database Syst Review. 2018;3: CD012406 REFERENCE #3: Fjaellegaard K, Sin MD, Browatzki A, Ulrik CS. Antibiotic therapy for stable non- CF bronchiectasis in adults- A systematic review. Chron Respir Dis. 2017;14: 174-186 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Sindhoora Adyanthaya, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Manjyot Bajwa, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Sucheta Kundu, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Aksiniya Stevasarova, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Jan Westerman, source=Web Response

The use of Decasan in the local treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases of the tonsils

Chronic non-specific inflammatory diseases of the tonsils are predominantly asocialized with bacteria of Streptococcus pyogenes species. However, a mixed microflora, including fungal, is often growing, and tonsillitis can be associated with viral pathogens. Modern antiseptic drug Dekasan, due to its bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal, sporocidal activity, is a highly effective means for the sanitization of the the palatine tonsils. It can reliably reduce the incidence of tonsillitis, thus reducing the need for systemic antibiotics and will slow the rate of antibiotic resistance.

Advantages of Maggot Debridement Therapy for Chronic Wounds: A Bibliographic Review.

To present an overview of the advantages of maggot debridement therapy as a treatment for chronic wounds through the review of several larval properties. This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. After participating in this educational activity, the participant will be able to:1. Summarize the use, process, and precautions for maggot debridement to treat chronic wounds.2. Synthesize the results of the bibliographic review of the use of maggot debridement to treat chronic wounds. Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is effective for ulcer debridement, achieving it in less time than other therapies. It offers a benefit to healing. However, it is unclear whether maggots reduce treatment time and there is considerable controversy around the treatment's potential antimicrobial action and cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, it can be effective in preventing amputations and reducing the need for systemic antibiotics. This bibliographic review assesses the advantages of MDT as a treatment for chronic wounds through the review of several larval properties. The review was carried out by consulting biomedical databases including CINAHL, MEDLINE (PubMed), and Scopus, and concludes that MDT is an effective debridement and potential technique to facilitate healing. However, more data is needed on the wound type application frequency and the efficacy of treatment.

Surgical Site Infections After Dermatologic Surgery in Immunocompromised Patients: A Single-Center Experience

Immunosuppression is often considered as an indication for antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent surgical site infections (SSI) while performing skin surgery. However, the data on the risk of developing SSI after dermatologic surgery in immunosuppressed patients are limited. All patients of the Department of Dermatology and Allergology at the University Hospital of RWTH Aachen in Aachen, Germany, who underwent hospitalization for a dermatologic surgery between June 2016 and January 2017 (6 months), were followed up after surgery until completion of the wound healing process. The follow-up addressed the occurrence of SSI and the need for systemic antibiotics after the operative procedure. Immunocompromised patients were compared with immunocompetent patients. The investigation was conducted as a retrospective analysis of patient records. The authors performed 284 dermatologic surgeries in 177 patients. Nineteen percent (54/284) of the skin surgery was performed on immunocompromised patients. The most common indications for surgical treatment were nonmelanoma skin cancer and malignant melanomas. Surgical site infections occurred in 6.7% (19/284) of the cases. In 95% (18/19), systemic antibiotic treatment was needed. Twenty-one percent of all SSI (4/19) were seen in immunosuppressed patients. According to the authors' data, immunosuppression does not represent a significant risk factor for SSI after dermatologic surgery. However, larger prospective studies are needed to make specific recommendations on the use of antibiotic prophylaxis while performing skin surgery in these patients.

PH-Sensitive Compounds for Selective Inhibition of Acid-Producing Bacteria.

Stimuli-responsive compounds that provide on-site, controlled antimicrobial activity promise an effective approach to prevent infections, reducing the need for systemic antibiotics. We present a novel pH-sensitive quaternary pyridinium salt (QPS), whose antibacterial activity is boosted by low pH and controlled by adjusting the pH between 4 and 8. Particularly, this compound selectively inhibits growth of acid-producing bacteria within a multispecies community. The successful antibacterial action of this QPS maintains the environmental pH above 5.5, a threshold pH, below which demineralization/erosion takes place. The design, synthesis, and characterization of this QPS and its short-chain analogue are discussed. In addition, their pH-sensitive physicochemical properties in aqueous and organic solutions are evaluated by UV-vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the mechanism of action reveals a switchable assembly that is triggered by acid-base interaction and formed by tightly stacked π-conjugated systems and base moieties. Finally, a model is proposed to recognize the correlated but different mechanisms of pH sensitivity and acid-induced, pH-controlled antibacterial efficacy. We anticipate that successful application of these QPSs and their derivatives will provide protections against infection and erosion through targeted treatments to acid-producing bacteria and modulation of environmental pH.

Idebenone reduces respiratory complications in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), progressive loss of respiratory function leads to restrictive pulmonary disease and places patients at significant risk for severe respiratory complications. Of particular concern are ineffective cough, secretion retention and recurrent respiratory tract infections. In a Phase 3 randomized controlled study (DMD Long-term Idebenone Study, DELOS) in DMD patients 10–18 years of age and not taking concomitant glucocorticoid steroids, idebenone (900 mg/day) reduced significantly the loss of respiratory function over a 1-year study period. In a post-hoc analysis of DELOS we found that more patients in the placebo group compared to the idebenone group experienced bronchopulmonary adverse events (BAEs): placebo: 17 of 33 patients, 28 events; idebenone: 6 of 31 patients, 7 events. The hazard ratios (HR) calculated “by patient” (HR 0.33, p = 0.0187) and for “all BAEs” (HR 0.28, p = 0.0026) indicated a clear idebenone treatment effect. The overall duration of BAEs was 222 days (placebo) vs. 82 days (idebenone). In addition, there was also a difference in the use of systemic antibiotics utilized for the treatment of BAEs. In the placebo group, 13 patients (39.4%) reported 17 episodes of antibiotic use compared to 7 patients (22.6%) reporting 8 episodes of antibiotic use in the idebenone group. Furthermore, patients in the placebo group used systemic antibiotics for longer (105 days) compared to patients in the idebenone group (65 days). This post-hoc analysis of DELOS indicates that the protective effect of idebenone on respiratory function is associated with a reduced risk of bronchopulmonary complications and a reduced need for systemic antibiotics.

A biodegradable antibiotic-impregnated scaffold to prevent osteomyelitis in a contaminated in vivo bone defect model.

Open fractures are at risk of serious infection and, if infected, require several surgical interventions and courses of systemic antibiotics. We investigated a new injectable formulation that simultaneously hardens in vivo to form a porous scaffold for bone repair and delivers antibiotics at high concentrations to the local site of infection. Duration of antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was determined using the serial plate transfer test. Ultimate compressive strength and porosity of the material was measured with and without antibiotics. The material was evaluated in vivo in an ovine medial femoral condyle defect model contaminated with S. aureus. Sheep were sacrificed at either 2 or 13 weeks and the defect and surrounding bone assessed using micro-computed tomography and histology. Antimicrobial activity in vitro persisted for 19-21 days. Sheep with antibiotic-free material and bacteria became infected, while those with antibiotic-containing material and bacteria did not. Similarly, new bone growth was seen in uninoculated animals with plain polymer, and in those with antibiotic polymer with bacteria, but not in sheep with plain polymer and bacteria. The antibiotic-impregnated scaffolds were effective in preventing S. aureus infections whilst supporting bone growth and repair. If translated into clinical practice, this approach might reduce the need for systemic antibiotics.

Sol–gel silica controlled release thin films for the inhibition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection has significantly increased. Generally, the success of this bacterium as a pathogen is attributed to its ability to adhere to surfaces and remain there, under the protection of an extracellular matrix known as biofilm. To combat MRSA with regular doses of vancomycin, efforts are continuously underway to increase its effectiveness. A promising technique is to use combinational therapeutics. In vitro experiments showed that farnesol can be used as an adjuvant with conventional antibiotics. Farnesol is a natural sesquiterpenoid and quorum-sensing molecule. The biggest obstacle to using this concept is that farnesol is highly water insoluble. This compromises its bioavailability if it were to be used along with vancomycin at the site of infection when the treatment needs to be administered in vivo. Herein we designed an efficient therapeutic strategy for the simultaneous delivery of both antibiotic and adjuvant in order to treat MRSA infections. We demonstrate that sufficient quantities of both vancomycin and farnesol can be incorporated into sol–gel silica applied as thin films on an implant surface. The incorporation of the hydrophobic farnesol does not affect the stability of the thin films and neither does it affect the controlled release of vancomycin. The data demonstrate the potent adjuvant effect of farnesol on vancomycin in inhibiting MRSA infection. In vitro experiments show the complete inhibition (106 fold reduction in growth compared to control) of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) when the ratio of vancomycin to farnesol in the sol–gel silica films is optimized. The local delivery of antibiotics minimizes the need for systemic antibiotics. The incorporation of vancomycin and farnesol into thin sol–gel films represents a new treatment paradigm for the topical delivery of antibiotics with adjuvant. The potential clinical benefits are significant and include avoiding the need for revision surgery, preventing surgical site infection and controlling healthcare costs.

Stratification of Highest-Risk Patients with Chronic Skin Ulcers in a Stanford Retrospective Cohort Includes Diabetes, Need for Systemic Antibiotics, and Albumin Levels

Chronic nonsurgical skin wounds such as venous stasis and diabetic ulcers have been associated with a number of comorbid conditions; however, the strength of these associations has not been compared. We utilized the Stanford Translational Research Integrated Database Environment (STRIDE) system to identify a cohort of 637 patients with chronic skin ulcers. Preliminary analysis () showed that 49.7% of the patients had a poor prognosis such as amputation or a nonhealing ulcer for at least a year. Factors significantly associated () with these outcomes included diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, and need for systemic antibiotics. Patients with poor outcomes also tended to have lower hemoglobin levels (), higher WBC levels (), and lower albumin levels (). On multivariate analysis, however, only diabetes mellitus (OR 5.87, 1.36–25.3), need for systemic antibiotics (OR 3.88, 1.06–14.2), and albumin levels (0.20 per unit, 0.07–0.60) remained significant independent predictors of poor wound-healing outcomes. These data identify patients at the highest risk for poor wound-healing and who may benefit the most from more aggressive wound care and treatment.

Topical antimicrobial therapy of chronic wounds healing by secondary intention using iodine products.

All open wounds healing by secondary intention are contaminated by bacteria and in chronic wounds this can progress through colonisation to invasive infection. Iodine products reduce bacterial load and are active against most species of micro-organisms, and certainly those encountered in chronic wound care. This review evaluates the use of iodine products in chronic wound care including povidone-iodine solutions and cadexomer iodine. Antiseptics containing iodine are relatively cheap, resistance is unknown and concerns about systemic toxicity are probably overstated. More widespread use of these agents as topical anti-microbials in chronic wound care should be considered to reduce the need for systemic antibiotics when colonisation has progressed to invasive infection with systemic signs.

Tobramycin solution for inhalation in cystic fibrosis patients: a review of the literature

Cystic fibrosis patients suffer increased sputum production and a notable decline in respiratory function throughout the progression of their disease. Patients are left vulnerable to respiratory colonization/infection from a number of pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. At present, the only antibiotic formulation that is FDA approved for aerosolized delivery is tobramycin solution for inhalation (TSI). TSI allows for targeted antibiotic delivery to the lungs and is indicated for maintenance therapy in cystic fibrosis patients infected with P. aeruginosa. Studies demonstrate that cyclical treatment with TSI is associated with an increase in respiratory function and a decrease in sputum density in cystic fibrosis patients. Additional benefits include fewer hospitalizations and a decreased need for systemic antibiotics. However, because of the need for chronic administration, issues such as emergence of resistant organisms and toxicity are a potential concern and have also been evaluated. This review details the pharmacology of TSI and literature involving its use in cystic fibrosis patients.

A new approach to the management of Broviac catheter infection

Infection continues to be a major complication of the use of indwelling venous catheters. In an attempt to avoid removal of the catheter and to minimize the systemic side-effects of antibiotics, the potential value of in-situ treatment of confirmed Broviac catheter infection was assessed in carefully selected patients attending an oncology unit. Fourteen episodes from 11 children were included in the study. A variety of organisms were encountered. Infective episodes were divided into two categories: (a) those occurring in patients with negative peripheral blood cultures and neutrophil count greater than 1·5 × 10 9 l −1 which were treated only by local instillation of heparinized antibiotic 8-hourly for 7–14 days ( N = 8); (b) those occurring simultaneously with positive peripheral blood culture (or peripheral blood culture not performed) regardless of neutrophil count, or infection restricted to Broviac catheter but with a neutrophil count of less than 1·5 × 10 9 l −1; these were treated, with one exception, as above with the addition of systemic antibiotics ( N = 6). Treatment was successful in 100% of infective episodes with negative cultures achieved between 5 and 12 days. Catheters remained in use a mean of 118 days following treatment of infection. This approach has obvious advantages but requires careful patient selection and monitoring. It prolongs the catheter life, obviates the need for systemic antibiotics for a local infection, and with appropriate instruction to parents and family practitioner, treatment may be administered on an outpatient basis.